DC Health Link Fields Deal with D.C. United

Thursday, September 12, 2013

The partnership with DC’s Major League Soccer team will help raise awareness of the new health insurance marketplace.

DC Health Link and D.C. United today announced they will team up to spread the word about the new opportunities to purchase quality, affordable health insurance through the District’s new health insurance marketplace called DC Health Link.

The new partnership will focus attention on uninsured and underinsured adults who are under the age of 35 – also known as “Young Invincibles.” Nearly half of the District’s uninsured population is under age 35; two-thirds are men; and 58 percent are African American and 11 percent are Hispanic.

According to published marketing data, supporters and fans of D.C. United overlap greatly with the “young invincible” and other key demographics. For example, nearly two-thirds (63 percent) of D.C. United fans are between the ages of 18 and 44, 26 percent are Hispanic and 22 percent are African American, making this an important avenue to reach uninsured/underinsured populations.

“This partnership will help us inform a key group of District residents that can be hard to reach about new opportunities to obtain health insurance,” said Diane C. Lewis, MPA, chair of the DC Health Benefit Exchange Authority Executive Board. “Many young people will have access to financial help through DC Health Link that will finally bring health insurance within their reach.”

Under the agreement announced today, DC Health Link will engage in a number of activities and promotions in conjunction with D.C. United, in October, including:

Serving as the premium sponsor of the D.C. United v. Chicago Fire match on October 4 with on-field messages and announcements;

A strong DC Health Link presence at pre-game tailgating parties at the October 4, October 12 and October 27 matches; and

“Our fans are important to us on every level,” said Michael Williamson, chief operating officer of D.C. United. “That includes their health and well-being, so helping provide information about health care options for them and their families makes total sense to us.”

District residents and small business owners will be able to begin shopping for health insurance through DC Health Link on October 1. People who enroll before December 15 will have coverage effective January 1, 2014. Open enrollment will continue through March 31, 2014.